Your long national nightmare is over. Alabama is back on the field. The defending national champions open fall camp Friday, and head coach Nick Saban will speak to reporters following practice for the first time in the 2018 season.

Before that, let’s answer your questions in our first Alabama Mailbag at The Athletic.

I am seriously concerned* about lack of depth with the edge rushers and breaking in so many newbies in the defensive backfield. Am I right, or is there any good news on those two fronts?

*May only make the Playoff instead of win the Playoff.

Oscar A.

It’s a timely question, given the injury to Terrell Lewis, which will likely sideline him for the season. However, it’s all relative. Alabama has finished outside the top 10 in total defense nationally only once since 2008. Considering all the talent that leaves on an annual basis, that’s a remarkable feat. Losing Lewis is going to hurt, no doubt. I thought he and Raekwon...